Forgotten by Fiancée, Fake Engagement with Crown Prince Of Neighbouring Country - Chapter 42
Chapter 42
(Aria’s Perspective)
In the Duke Tarrant’s parlor, cleared of all people, Aria trembled before a visitor.
Her parents were unaware of this meeting today.
It was a secret, forbidden to be shared with anyone.
Aria asked the man before her, whose lower face was hidden by a black cloth.
“Umm… Is it really okay to keep going like this? Prince Easton has suddenly stopped meeting me, and… I’m feeling anxious.”
“Please do not mention his name in my presence.”
“! I- I’m so sorry!”
Aria hurriedly nodded, her mouth silenced by his raised index finger.
She knew well that this scheme was being carried out in secret and that she shouldn’t mention Easton’s name.
As Aria slumped in shame, the man softened his tone, speaking gently.
“…It’s all right. Everything is going according to plan. Besides, hasn’t everything unfolded exactly as I’ve told you? You followed the two of them on their picnic, gave him that tea, and as we said, he lost consciousness and forgot all about his fiancée. And when he awoke with you by his side, he became yours. Isn’t that exactly what happened?”
“Y-yes!”
Aria recalled the moments leading up to Easton slipping, hitting his head, and falling unconscious.
(It was just a fleeting impulse. Everyone in my family and all my friends are obsessed with me, yet no matter how hard I tried, I could never make Prince Easton mine. I envied my older sister Leefe, who is independent as a magic apothecary and also engaged to a prince. I wanted her place so badly that I succumbed to wrongdoing.)
Since childhood, Aria had been a cherished and special presence in the Tarantt Ducal House.
She had long recognized that her sister Leefe was both more beautiful and smarter.
Yet, for some reason, those around them always fawned over Aria.
Being loved by everyone and constantly reassured of her worth was Aria’s greatest happiness.
Some might say that such fulfillment would prevent a person from plotting against others, but they’d be wrong.
The more fulfilled you are, the more you crave love, and the higher the status you desire.
One day, Aria’s hidden vanity, concealed behind her charming smile, was suddenly exposed.
While strolling in the garden of the Tarantt estate, a man with his lower face masked by a stole had called out to her over the fence.
“There is a simple way to get what you want most,” he had said.
(I immediately accepted his offer. And just like that, I really took my sister’s place.)
Though she had become slightly discouraged after being repeatedly denied an audience with Easton, overall, everything was going smoothly.
Realizing this, Aria raised her head with renewed confidence.
(Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen this person’s face. Not even once, since he first approached me.)
“Um, why don’t you ever show me your face?”
“Because there’s no need. …Besides, I wouldn’t want to fall under your charm.”
“Huh? What was that?”
“It’s nothing, please don’t mind me.”
The man narrowed his eyes in a smile devoid of warmth and stood up.
“You have nothing to worry about. No one will ever discover what you’ve done. And if it comes to it, you have a special power to attract people. Hasn’t your life always gone exactly the way you wanted it?”
(Yes, he’s right. Everything will be fine!)
With that, Aria saw the masked visitor out through the back entrance.
After instructing the maid to clean up the parlor, Aria was about to return to her room when the doorbell rang.
A visitor had arrived at the main entrance.
She hadn’t scheduled any more appointments for today, and no one would come to visit a duke’s daughter without prior notice.
Aria assumed it had nothing to do with her, but then the maid, who had just been asked to clean up, appeared with a pale face.
“Lady Aria, there is a guest here to see you.”
“What, at this hour? I’m sorry, but I’m tired. Could you tell them I’m unavailable?”
“Well… I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Aria tilted her head in confusion at the maid’s hesitant response.
(I told her to turn them away, so why isn’t she listening? How annoying.)
“To meet with me, they need an appointment in advance. You understand that, don’t you? Anyone who insists on meeting without an appointment… I’m too scared to face them.”
“My lady, it’s… the investigator sent from the royal palace. They’ve brought a letter signed by the royal family, requesting to speak with you about the incident at the engagement party the other day, when you drank the magic potion all at once… There is absolutely no way to refuse, my lady.”
